Yellowstone Select Bourbon 750ML

Yellowstone Select Bourbon 750ML is a 93-proof (46.5% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon blending 4-year and 7-year whiskeys in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned Gold at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and consecutive ASCOT Awards Gold medals in 2024 and 2025, establishing it as one of the more decorated bourbons at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Blend of 4-Year and 7-Year Straight Bourbons  |  Distillery: Limestone Branch Distillery

Production & Heritage

Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, produces Yellowstone Select using a mashbill of 75% open-pollinated white heirloom corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. The distillery employs a three-stage open cook process: corn is cooked first at temperatures exceeding 200 degrees, then the temperature is lowered for rye addition, and lowered again for malted barley — a deliberate, grain-by-grain approach that allows each component to release its distinct flavors. This method stands in contrast to many larger producers that cook all grains together, and the resulting distillate is blended from barrels aged between four and seven years to achieve the final profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rye toast and cinnamon spice open the nose, followed by soft leathered cherries and melted butter. A subtle thread of orange zest adds brightness beneath the grain-forward warmth.

Taste: The entry is smooth with smoked caramel and peanut, transitioning at mid-palate to layered vanilla and honey sweetness. Dried cherry and rye spice build toward the peak, giving the bourbon a satisfying push-pull between sweet and spicy.

Finish: Medium-long with smoky oak and brown sugar that lingers without turning bitter. The rye component resurfaces at the very end, leaving a warm, lightly spiced close.

How to Drink Yellowstone Select

At 93 proof, Yellowstone Select has enough backbone to stand up neat or with a single large ice cube, which opens up the caramel and cherry notes without diluting the smoky oak. A few drops of water further soften the rye spice and bring forward the honey and vanilla. It also works well in these cocktails:

• Old Fashioned — the smoked caramel and brown sugar notes complement bitters and a citrus peel without getting lost.
• Boulevardier — the rye spice and dried cherry in the bourbon pair naturally with sweet vermouth and Campari.
• Whiskey Sour — the 93-proof strength holds its structure against fresh citrus while the honey sweetness balances the sour component.

Best For

• Introducing someone to higher-proof Kentucky bourbon without overwhelming heat
• Stocking a home bar with a versatile everyday sipper
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values heirloom-grain production
• Side-by-side tastings comparing craft distillery blends to single-barrel expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Yellowstone Select taste like? Yellowstone Select leads with smoked caramel, vanilla, and honey, balanced by rye spice and dried cherry, finishing on smoky oak and brown sugar. The heirloom corn gives it a slightly richer sweetness than many standard-mashbill bourbons.

How does Yellowstone Select compare to Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select? Both occupy a similar traditional bourbon profile with balanced sweetness and spice, and Tasting Table has noted they are "quite comparable taste-wise." Yellowstone Select edges slightly higher in proof at 46.5% ABV versus Woodford Reserve's 45.2%, and its heirloom corn mashbill and multi-age blending give it a somewhat more pronounced caramel and smoke character.

Is Yellowstone Select good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46.5% ABV delivers enough intensity to carry complex flavors without excessive alcohol burn, making it a well-suited neat pour for both experienced bourbon drinkers and those stepping up from lower-proof expressions.

Where is Yellowstone Select made? Yellowstone Select is produced at Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, situated in the heart of bourbon country in Marion County. The distillery uses locally inspired heritage techniques, including its signature three-stage open cook process.

What foods pair well with Yellowstone Select? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's smoky oak notes. Dark chocolate highlights the caramel and brown sugar. Sharp cheddar plays off the rye spice. Pecan pie mirrors the nutty, sweet profile, and grilled stone fruit echoes the dried cherry character.

What sizes does Yellowstone Select come in? Yellowstone Select is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Yellowstone Select worth the price? Yellowstone Select positions as a mid-range bourbon that punches above its price tier, delivering a multi-age blend with an heirloom mashbill and consistent critical recognition — including multiple Gold medals — in a category crowded with similarly priced single-age competitors.

Why Yellowstone Select?

The use of 75% open-pollinated white heirloom corn is a genuine differentiator; most bourbon producers rely on modern hybrid corn varieties, and the older grain contributes a deeper, more nuanced sweetness to the distillate. The three-stage open cook method further separates this bourbon from mass-produced blends by extracting maximum character from each grain individually. Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Berlin International Spirits Competition, SIP Awards, and consecutive ASCOT Awards Golds in 2024 and 2025 back up the production claims with third-party validation. For drinkers who want a Kentucky straight bourbon with genuine craft provenance and enough proof to hold up in cocktails or neat pours, Yellowstone Select delivers on specifics rather than marketing.